December 10, 2014 | Food & Drink
Dynamic, seasonal tastes inform Philly’s best prix-fixe menus.
Abe Fisher’s borscht tartare pairs beets with horseradish, trout roe, and a hard-cooked egg, served with sour cream and onion potato chips.
Abe Fisher
This Israeli-inspired restaurant allows diners to create their own prix-fixe menu. And with options like crispy Brussels sprouts, made lightly sweet with orange and vanilla, and the veal schnitzel tacos, choosing your own culinary adventure is your best bet. Says co-owner Steven Cook, “You get to experience the menu the way that we designed it, but you can make all your own choices.” 1623 Sansom St., 215-867-0088
Amada
For diners looking for an element of surprise with their meal, the “Especial” includes an assortment of tapas from the regular dinner options plus a selection of items created by chef Jose Garces himself—none of which you will ever find on the menu. Begin your meal with favorites such as crab-stuffed peppers and Spanish octopus, and let the Iron Chef’s team take care of the rest. 217–219 Chestnut St., 215-625-2450
Girasole
“My favorite items on the prix-fixe menu are the melanzane e zucchine and the Carpaccio Girasole,” says owner Gino Iovino. “The menu provides a selection of our customers’ most loved dishes—like the homemade gnocchi with beef braciola—and resembles a traditional [Italian] Sunday dinner.” 440 S. Broad St., 215-732-2728
Marie Nicoles
Even in the winter months, this Wildwood restaurant and bar hums nightly with a busy dining room. A modest three-course menu features comfort foods like the herb-roasted chicken and the fusilli Calabrese, a pasta dish made with crumbled sausage and sautéed broccoli rabe and topped with Parmesan cheese. 9510 Pacific Ave., Wildwood, NJ, 609-522-5425
Palm Restaurant Philadelphia
Custom-made tasting menus take private dining to the next level. “We fully customize a menu from start to finish,” says private dining sales manager Beth Minkus. “[Diners can create] a wine-pairing dinner or a menu based off of an event’s theme or timeline requirements.” Although the options are endless, be sure to start the meal off with a broiled crab cake topped with mango salsa. 200 S. Broad St., 215-546-7256
Sbraga
Kevin Sbraga’s namesake restaurant is best enjoyed with the four-course dinner menu and beverage pairings while perched at one of the coveted seats at the chef’s counter. In line with Sbraga’s reputation for inventive, seasonal fare, the dishes are always changing, but you’ll want to end with the roasted peaches, complete with smoky mascarpone and buttermilk ice cream. 440 S. Broad St., 215-735-1913
Vetri
A fixed six-course tasting menu is the sole dining option at Philadelphia’s stalwart Italian front runner, led by chef Marc Vetri. The menu is custom tailored to each guest’s specific tastes (before they arrive at the restaurant) and includes an array of fish, vegetables, meats, and desserts—and, of course, Vetri’s heavenly homemade pastas. 1312 Spruce St., 215-732-3478
photography by CookNSolo reStauraNtS
